Lead With That Center for Creative Leadership

In this Episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss the leadership lessons that we can learn from watching, “The Office.” Since it first aired in 2005, the series has become a favorite for its beloved characters and the way it masterfully depicts the everyday work lives of office employees and their manager. Though Dunder Mifflin is a fictional workplace, there are many lessons we can glean from the experiences and hijinks of the characters, as well as an appreciation for how these experiences transform their leadership styles. Listen in as Ren and Allison explore what their careers would be like if they worked in “The Office.” 
This is the second episode in our special Lead With That series, “Manager Madness,” where we discuss public figures, real or fictional, who embody leadership through both their actions and ability to inspire others. Our listeners voted in a “Manager Madness” bracket on social media stories to rank which leaders they would want to work with the most. Over several months, Ren and Allison will be chatting about each of them one by one until we reveal the winner. 
 
What to Explore Next: 
Building Relationship Skills at Work - https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/building-relationship-skills/ 
Focus on These 3 Team Needs to Improve Team Performance - https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/what-does-your-team-need/ 
Teamwork: How to Be an Activator, Not a Blocker - https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/are-you-a-teamwork-blocker-or-an-activator/  
 
Related Solutions: 
Leadership Development Program (LDP)®- https://www.ccl.org/leadership-programs/leadership-development-program/ 
Conversational Skills Training - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-solutions/leadership-coaching/coaching-skills-better-conversations-training/ 
Team Collaboration Training - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-solutions/leadership-topics/team-leader-training/ 
 
About the Center for Creative Leadership:
Leadership is all we do. But our approach is distinct. We work with you to discover your priorities and customize our unique leadership solutions to best fit your needs. We create leaders who move their worlds. Our innovative solutions are steeped in extensive research and experience gained from tens of thousands of organizations, a million+ leaders at all levels, and leaders in more than 130 countries, across 6 continents. We deliver results that matter – sustained impact for you, your business and the world. www.ccl.org

In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison discuss the pending ban of social media platform TikTok, and what impact this decision may have on social media users and creators.
On March 13, 2024, the United States House of Representatives voted in favor of passing legislation to ban TikTok if its current owner, ByteDance, does not move to sell their stake in the company within 6 months. As a result, the future of the platform in the US as well as the implications for those who depend on the platform for both income and entertainment alike remain uncertain. While this legislation is primarily about government policy, it highlights from a leadership perspective the important role that trust and transparency play when leaders make decisions that have a major ripple effect on people, whether in an organization or a government.
 
What to explore next:
How Leaders Can Encourage Innovation Instead of Sabotaging It - https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/9-ways-senior-leaders-sabotage-innovation/ 
Why Trust Is Critical to Team Success - https://www.ccl.org/articles/white-papers/trust-critical-team-success/
How to Build Trust as a Leader (and Keep It) - https://www.ccl.org/webinars/how-to-build-trust-as-a-leader-and-keep-it/
 
Related solutions:
Innovation Leadership - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-solutions/leadership-topics/innovation-leadership/ 
Psychological Safety Training - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-solutions/leadership-topics/psychological-safety-training/
Conversational Skills Training - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-solutions/leadership-coaching/coaching-skills-better-conversations-training/
 
About the Center for Creative Leadership:
Leadership is all we do. But our approach is distinct. We work with you to discover your priorities and customize our unique leadership solutions to best fit your needs. We create leaders who move their worlds. Our innovative solutions are steeped in extensive research and experience gained from tens of thousands of organizations, a million+ leaders at all levels, and leaders in more than 130 countries, across 6 continents. We deliver results that matter – sustained impact for you, your business and the world. www.ccl.org
 

In this episode, Ren and Allison discuss Tennis superstar Coco Gauff, and how at only 19-years-old she has shown tremendous leadership potential through her work on an off the court. From her display of unparalleled athleticism and mental fortitude during matches, to being a strong advocate for social justice initiatives and advancing her community, she has become a role model for many young people around the world. Listen as Ren and Allison picture what their careers would be like if Coco was their manager.
This is the first episode in our special Lead With That series, “Manager Madness,” where we discuss public figures, real or fictional, who embody leadership through both their actions and ability to inspire others. Our listeners voted in a “Manager Madness” bracket on social media stories to rank which leaders they would want to work with the most. Over several months, Ren and Allison will be chatting about each of them one by one until we reveal the winner.
 
What to explore next:
It’s You, Not Them: Why Emerging Leaders Need Your Support to Succeed - https://www.ccl.org/articles/research-reports/its-you-not-them-why-emerging-leaders-need-your-support-to-succeed/
3 Research-Based Strategies to Support the Leaders of Tomorrow - https://www.ccl.org/webinars/3-research-based-strategies-to-support-the-leaders-of-tomorrow-in-the-midst-of-covid-19/
 
Related solutions:
Frontline Leader Impact - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-programs/frontline-leadership-impact/
Lead 4 Success® - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-programs/fundamental-leadership-skills-training/
K-12 & Youth Educational Leadership - https://www.ccl.org/industries-sectors/youth-educational-leadership/   
 
About the Center for Creative Leadership:
Leadership is all we do. But our approach is distinct. We work with you to discover your priorities and customize our unique leadership solutions to best fit your needs. We create leaders who move their worlds. Our innovative solutions are steeped in extensive research and experience gained from tens of thousands of organizations, a million+ leaders at all levels, and leaders in more than 130 countries, across 6 continents. We deliver results that matter – sustained impact for you, your business and the world. www.ccl.org

In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison explore the major changes and corporate mergers that large companies are working to make happen across industries, and how these business deals will ultimately trickle down and affect their workers. During an already tumultuous time in an evolving job market, workers are struggling to remain grounded and feel a sense of security within their organizations.  Managers are also working to find a balance between carrying out the wishes of their upper leadership while doing what is best for the wellbeing of their teams.
While the decisions of corporations do directly affect the livelihood of their workforce, this conversation highlights from a leadership perspective, the responsibilities that organizations have to their workers who are arguably the most affected by any changes - making it all the more important for leaders to place a focus on integrity and nurturing trust within their teams.
 
What to explore next:
Why Leadership Trust Is Critical in Times of Change and Disruption - https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/why-leadership-trust-is-critical-in-times-of-change-and-disruption/
How to Be a Successful Change Leader - https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/successful-change-leader/
 
Related solutions:
Leading Through Change & Disruption - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-solutions/leadership-topics/leading-through-change/
Organizational Change & Transformation - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-solutions/organizational-leadership/organizational-change-transformation/
Conversational Skills Training - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-solutions/leadership-coaching/coaching-skills-better-conversations-training/ 
 
About the Center for Creative Leadership:
Leadership is all we do. But our approach is distinct. We work with you to discover your priorities and customize our unique leadership solutions to best fit your needs. We create leaders who move their worlds. Our innovative solutions are steeped in extensive research and experience gained from tens of thousands of organizations, a million+ leaders at all levels, and leaders in more than 130 countries, across 6 continents. We deliver results that matter – sustained impact for you, your business and the world. www.ccl.org

In this episode of Lead with That, Ren and Allison discuss the leadership lessons learned from Lily Gladstone’s 2024 Golden Globe Award win for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. When Gladstone made history as the first indigenous actor to be distinguished with that honor in the award’s 81-year history, she opened her acceptance speech in the Blackfeet language to further honor and represent her heritage in a powerful way.
As her speech and award win has brought the topic of representation and its importance back into the forefront of social conversations, many are considering representation in the context of their organizations. Ren and Allison explore what representation means, why it matters in the workspace, and how leaders can use their influence to help their organizations find power in its value.
 
What to explore next:
Inclusive Leadership: Steps to Take to Get It Right - https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/when-inclusive-leadership-goes-wrong-and-how-to-get-it-right/
Understand Social Identity to Lead in a Changing World- https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/understand-social-identity-to-lead-in-a-changing-world/
 
Related Solutions:
Beyond Bias™ - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-solutions/leadership-topics/overcoming-unconscious-bias-in-the-workplace/
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-challenges/equity-diversity-inclusion 
 
About the Center for Creative Leadership:
Leadership is all we do. But our approach is distinct. We work with you to discover your priorities and customize our unique leadership solutions to best fit your needs. We create leaders who move their worlds. Our innovative solutions are steeped in extensive research and experience gained from tens of thousands of organizations, a million+ leaders at all levels, and leaders in more than 130 countries, across 6 continents. We deliver results that matter – sustained impact for you, your business and the world. www.ccl.org

In this episode of Lead With That, Ren and Allison explore the looming tension that is currently surrounding the job market and how workers are trying to find their footing amidst an ever-changing workplace landscape. From “Quiet Quitting” to “The Great Resignation” to now navigating an unpredictable market filled with layoffs and downsizing, workers are struggling more than ever to find a place in their careers, and within organizations where they feel fulfilled. Employers are also struggling with finding the balance between nurturing a sense of security amongst employees while also being focused on the bottom line. With the recent highly publicized layoffs by large companies like Spotify and the media attention that has been given to the desire, or lack thereof, that people have to work, there seems to be a constant flow of conflicting messages – but ultimately the only way to stay grounded and feel fulfilled is to hold candid, constructive conversations with one another.
While businesses will always have to place focus on profit, the conversation highlights from a leadership perspective, the importance that leaders should place on understanding the needs of employees, while also ensuring they are willing to have the tough conversations with their teams when needed.   
 
What to explore next:
5 Steps for Tackling Difficult Conversations - https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/5-steps-for-tackling-tough-conversations/
Better Culture Starts With Better Conversations - https://www.ccl.org/articles/white-papers/better-culture-starts-with-better-conversations/
 
Related solutions:
Emotional Intelligence Training for Leaders - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-solutions/leadership-topics/emotional-intelligence-training/
Conversational Skills Training - https://www.ccl.org/leadership-solutions/leadership-coaching/coaching-skills-better-conversations-training/
 
About the Center for Creative Leadership:
Leadership is all we do. But our approach is distinct. We work with you to discover your priorities and customize our unique leadership solutions to best fit your needs. We create leaders who move their worlds. Our innovative solutions are steeped in extensive research and experience gained from tens of thousands of organizations, a million+ leaders at all levels, and leaders in more than 130 countries, across 6 continents. We deliver results that matter – sustained impact for you, your business and the world. www.ccl.org